The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is teaming up with St. Thomas Public Library to support the Summer 2026 initiative.
The partnership will focus on bringing library and community services directly into neighbourhood parks, recreation spaces, and community gathering areas throughout the city.
The Summer 2026 outreach strategy will include coordinated park activations, community events, housing outreach initiatives, and partnerships connected to local recreation and sports programming.
The library will also participate in community events, including Pride in the Park, Horton Market, Seniors Picnic, Nostalgia Night, and a partnership with Railway City FC as a July Game Day sponsor.
A report presented to city council last week indicated, “Through this partnership, recreation and library staff have coordinated a series of outreach activations aligned with existing municipal day camp programming and community recreation spaces, including:
July 22 – Pinafore Park
July 29 – Waterworks Park
August 12 – 1Password Park
The report notes that the partnership can readily be expanded into other programming areas.
“Similar partnerships in other municipalities have supported initiatives such as story walks, outdoor learning experiences, creative workshops, youth drop-ins, seniors programming, and community events that combine recreation, education, and social connection.
“Staff are also exploring additional collaborative programming opportunities between Parks and Recreation and the St. Thomas Public Library within Westlake Evans Park.”
Written by Ian McCallum
